Mothers' and fathers' bookreading predicts preschoolers' development in Turkish immigrant and German families

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Studies comparing associations between early literacy related activities and developmental outcome among ethnically diverse groups of children are scarce. The aims of this study were to: (a) document the differences in Turkish immigrant (n = 79) and German (n = 88) preschool children's home literacy environment (HLE), cognitive, and speaking proficiency test scores, (b) identify predictors of HLE and developmental status, and (c) disentangle effects of education and ethnicity on children's HLE and developmental status. Turkish immigrant children, on average, had lower HLE, cognitive, and speaking proficiency test scores when compared to their German peers. After controlling for parent education, HLE predicted children's test scores in both groups. Similarities in predictive patterns emphasize positive effects of a stimulating HLE for young children's development, irrespective of the cultural specificity of dyadic bookreading. Our findings suggest that increased efforts should be made to develop culturally sensitive intervention strategies to facilitate access to print materials for children and to promote both mothers' and fathers' bookreading.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Developmental Sciences
Volume5
Issue number1-2
Pages (from-to)27-39
Number of pages13
ISSN2192-001X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • cognitive and language skills, home literacy environment, mothers' and fathers' bookreading, socioeconomic status (SES), Turkish immigrant families

ID: 393147627